Page:A Chapter on Slavery.djvu/181

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
167

liberated twenty, on the same condition; William Foster, Esq., twenty-one; another twenty-eight; a gentleman in Kentucky, sixty; a lady in the same State, forty; nearly all young — with very few exceptions, under forty years of age. The Society of Friends, in North Carolina, had liberated, in 1835, no less than six hundred and fifty-two."[1] "Numerous applications," continues Mr. Freeman, "are constantly before the Society or its auxiliaries, for assistance in emigrating to Africa. A large number of slaves are, by the decision of their masters, free in prospect, and in course of preparation for liberty; whilst others will be free the moment they can find-a passage to Liberia." — "Within one year, it is said that more than 2,000 slaves have been offered to the Colonization Society from five different States, with the desire expressed on the part both of master and slave, for a passage to Liberia."[2]

Now, what do we see here? Here is action; this is doing something, and not merely talking, and passing resolutions at public meetings. Here is the thing we have been long seeking for — emancipation — actually in existence and in active operation: and this, too, in the best possible manner, — not effected by force, nor by imperative legislative enactment, but by simply giving an opportunity for the consciences and hearts of slave-holders, already touched, to put forth their generous desires and intentions into act. Is not this truly God's plan? Is not this truly a Divine working? Can we not see the hand of Providence here? "One instance," justly remarks Mr. Freeman,

  1. "Freeman's Plea, Appendix, p. 341.
  2. Ibid., p. 161.